Doll construction



May 6, 1969 G. L. TUMMINIO DOLL CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan.

INVENTOR. REGORY L. TUlMMINlO BY ATTORNEYS May 6, 1969 G. L. TUMMINIO DOLL CONSTRUCTION Sheet Filed Jan. 5, 1968 FIG.5

INVEN'TOR. GREGORY L. TUMMINIO BY FIG.6

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,442,046 DOLL CONSTRUCTION Gregory L. Tumminio, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Prima Vinyl Molding Co., Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 3, 1968, Ser. No. 695,406 Int. Cl. A63h 3/24 US Cl. 46-161 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A doll construction having a hollow body in which a plurality of openings are formed, a rod extending longitudinally of the hollow body and being interconnected to socket members that are mounted in head, leg and arm members wherein the head, arm and leg members are mounted for universal movement in said openings.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to a doll construction and particularly the manner in which the limbs and head of the doll are secured to the body thereof in articulated relation. Prior to the instant invention, the heretofore known dolls normally included limbs and a head that were held in position by the use of elastic bands, springs, or some form of flexible member that permitted movement of the limbs and head in articulated relation with respect to the body of the doll. Although the interconnecting means for the limbs of the prior doll constructions served the purpose intended at least for a brief period of time, continuous manipulation of the limbs by a child soon resulted in breaking of the resilient band or spring or dislodging of one of the limbs from its resilient band or other interconnecting element. Consequently, the prior known doll constructions had limited play value because they could not successfully resist normal wear and tear. Those dolls that were constructed so as to resist normal wear and tear were dilficult to assembly and were moreover expensive to manufacture, thereby prohibitively increasing the cost of the doll.

Summary of the invention The doll embodied in the present invention includes a unique connecting structure for the limbs and head member thereof, which structure also enables these members to be assembled quickly and at a relatively low cost.

The doll construction of the present invention includes a hollow body in which a longitudinally extending elongated tubular rod is mounted. Formed in the doll body are a plurality of socket openings around which socket portions are formed. Located in each of the arms, legs and head member is a socket member that is interconnected to the rod through a wire connecting element, the wire connecting elements providing for limited movement of the socket members, but the socket members being so constructed that the limbs in which they are inserted have universal movement with respect to socket portions in which the members are received. Unlike the prior connecting devices for the heretofore known dolls, the present invention incorporates wire connecting elements that are fixed in the socket members and that are interconnected to the longitudinally extending rod. The wire connecting elements thus resist forces that are exerted on the limbs of the doll and prevent the limbs from being pulled outwardly of the socket openings.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a doll construction in which the limbs of the doll are interconnected to a longitudinally extending rod that cooperates with interconnecting means for preventing inadvertent removal of the limbs from their assembled position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a doll construction having a hollow body in which socket openings are formed for receiving a head and limb members, socket members being located in the head and limb members and being interconnected to an interiorly located longitudinally extending rod, the rod cooperating with the interconnecting means to resist forces that are exerted on the doll head and limbs through normal wear and tear.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become obvious as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

Description of the drawings In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a doll in which the present invention is incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, with portions shown in section, illustrating the interior of the doll that incorporates the invention embodied herein;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective showing the tubular rod and socket members that are located interiorly of the doll body and limbs and the interconnecting means that joins the socket members to the tubular rod;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the lower portion of the tubular rod showing a modified form of means on the tubular rod for supporting the interconnecting means in securement therewith;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating another form of means on the tubular rod for supporting the interconnecting means in place on the rod; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower portion of the doll illustrating the manner in which the leg members and socket members located therein are interconnected to the lower end of the tubular rod.

Description of the invention Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the doll construction embodied herein is illustrated and is generally indicated at Ill. The doll construction 10 includes a hollow body generally indicated at 12 that is preferably molded of a relatively soft plastic material, a head member generally indicated at 14 to which a neck portion 15 is joined, and arm members 16 and leg members 18 that are mounted in appropriate openings in the body 12 for securement therein. Although the doll construction .10 is shown in the form of a conventional baby doll, it is understood that the concept of the invention which is directed to the manner of securement of the head member 14, arm members 16 and leg members 18 to the body 12 is not limited to the appearance of the doll or to the manner of use thereof. It is also understood that the doll components, such as the head member 14, arm members 16 and leg members '18, may be constructed of various materials, although the preferred material employed is a relatively soft plastic that provides for flexibility of molding and ease of assembly with the body 12.

Formed in the body 12 are a plurality of socket openings as indicated by the neck opening 20, arm opening 22, and leg openings 24. The openings 20, 22 and 24 have a socket conformation in association therewith that are adapted to receive the rounded end of the neck portion 15 joined to the head member 14 and the conventional rounded end portions as formed on the limbs 16 and 18. Thus, when the head member 14 and limbs as represented by the arms 16 and legs 18 are joined to the body 12, the rounded ends thereof are received within the socket portions of the socket openings and are movable in universal relation therein to simulate actual movements of human limbs. As further shown in FIG. 2, the inner end portions of the head member 14 and the arms and legs 16 and 18 are formed with openings as indicated at 23, 25 and 27 respectively, these openings providing communication between the interior of the head and limbs and the interior of the body 12.

In order to positively retain the head member 14 and arm and leg members 16 and 18 in their respective socket openings as formed in the body 12, a unique connecting assembly generally indicated at 29 is provided and includes an elongated tubular rod 26 that is located interiorly of the body 12 and extends longitudinally thereof, such that when the body is located upright the tubular rod 26 is substantially vertical. The lowermost end of the rod 26 extends through an opening in the bottom of the body 12 and is secured therein in any convenient manner. As will be described, the tubular rod 26 is not only utilized as a support for the head member 14 and arm and leg members 16 and 18 but is also employed as a means for conducting liquid to the lower end of the body 12 to produce a wetting action for the doll. For this purpose, the uppermost end of the rod 26 is flared as indicated at 28 and receives a flexible tube 30 therein that is fixed within a mouth opening 32 formed in the head member 14. The tube 30 as fixed in the mouth opening 32 and the junction of the rod 26 at the lower end of the body 12 firmly mount the rod 26 in place, and it is seen that liquid introduced through the mouth opening 32 will pass into the flexible tube 30 and will gravitate downwardly through the tubular rod 26 for discharge at the lower end of the body 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6, the connecting assembly 29 for interconnecting the limbs 16 and 18 and head member 14 to the body 12 is illustrated and in addition to the tubular rod 26 includes socket members 34, connecting elements 36 and a link 38 through which the rod 26 extends. One end of each of the connecting elements 36 is formed with a loop 40 that is disposed interiorly of a socket member 34, the socket members 34 having a semicylindrical cup-like configuration for receiving the loops 40 therein. The other end of each of the connecting elements 36 is joined to the link 38 through a hook portion 42. It is seen that the link 38 is slidably received on the rod 26 and provides for floating movement of the socket members 34 interconnected thereto. Since the socket ele ments 34 are insertable within the arm members 16 they are formed of a flexible plastic material and as shown in FIG. 3 having a configuration that conforms to the socket portion of the arm openings 22. Thus, when the socket elements 34 are received in the socket portions of the openings 22, they are movable in universal relation therein, the connecting elements 36 projecting through the openings 22 for engagement with the link 38.

The openings 22 as formed in the body 12 for receiving the ends of the arms 16 in engagement with the body 12 are disposed such that the axes thereof are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 12 and to the rod 26 that extends longitudinally of the body 12. Thus, when the socket members 34 are located within the arms 16 and the ends of the arms are positioned within the socket portions of the openings 22, the socket members are disposed substantially in opposed relation, and the link 38 is located in a generally horizontal position. It is seen that because of the opposed relation of the socket members 34, when a force is exerted on either of the arms 16, the opposed arm and socket member will resist the force and cooperate with the link 38 to prevent the arms 16 from being withdrawn from their mounted position within the opening 22. It is further seen that the diameter of the semi-cylindrical socket members 34 is somewhat greater than the diameter of the openings 22 as formed in the body 12, and thus, when the socket members 34 are located interiorly of the arms 16 and the inner ends of the arms are disposed in the socket portion of the openings 22, the socket members 34 are prevented from being withdrawn through the openings 22 and thereby act to positively mount the arms 16 in the socket portions of the openings 22.

The leg members 18 are mounted in position in somewhat the same manner as described above in connection with the arm members 16. In this connection, socket members 44 which are formed as part of the connecting assembly 29 are adapted to be located interiorly of the leg members 18 and are disposed adjacent to the innermost ends thereof. The rounded end of each of the leg members 18 is formed with an opening 27 into which the nose of a socket member 44 projects. The socket portion of each of the openings 24 receives the inner rounded end of a leg member 18, and the leg members 18 are interconnected to the lower end of the rod 26, to locate them for universal movement on the body 12. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the socket members 44 is provided with a connecting element 46 that includes a hook portion 47 that is wound on the tubular rod 26 adjacent to the lowermost end thereof. An enlarged portion 48 is formed on the tubular rod 26 and acts to support the hook portions 47 of the connecting elements 46 that are wrapped around the rod 26. Each of the connecting elements 46 is also formed with a loop 50 on the inner end thereof that projects through an appropriate opening formed in the adjacent socket member 44 and thus the loops 50 act to interconnect the socket members 44 to the rod 26.

Referring to FIG. 6, the interconnection of the socket members 44 to the rod 26 is shown, and it will be observed that the straight wire portion of each connecting element 46 is somewhat inclined with respect to the vertical and to the longitudinal axis of the rod 26. Since the leg openings 24 as formed in the body 12 are disposed such that their axes are inclined with respect to the vertical it is seen that in order to prevent undue stresses being applied to the leg members 18 and the socket members 44 located therein, the connecting elements 46 project coaxially through the socket members 44 and are fixed to the rod 26 in inclined relation with respect thereto. Thus, with the connecting elements 46 connected directly to the rod 26 as shown in FIG. 6, any force exerted on either of the leg members 18 will be absorbed directly by the rod 26.

The neck portion 15 of the head member 14 is retained within the opening 20 in much the manner as previously described in connection with the arm and leg members 16 and 18, respectively, and as shown in FIG. 2, a socket member 52 is formed with a central opening 54 that enables the flared end 28 of the rod 26 to be inserted therethrough. In this connection the socket member 52 is preferably inserted over the flared end 28 when the socket member is warm and thereby more pliable. It is understood that once the socket member 52 is mounted in position in the neck portion 15 it cannot be withdrawn through the opennig 23 or pulled over the flared end 28 of the rod 26. In any event, the curvature of the socket member 52 conforms to the configuration of the neck portion 15 and the head member 14 is thereby positively mounted on the body 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a modified form of support for the lower connecting elements 46 is illustrated and includes a clip unit generally indicated at 56 that is formed with opposed loops 57 that are adapted to receive the hook portions 47, 48 of the connecting elements 46. The clip unit 56 may be secured to the rod 26 in any convenient manner although as illustrated it projects through the rod 26 for securement therein.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a still further modified form of support for the connecting elements 46 is illustrated; and, as shown, the lower end of the rod 26 is upset to define protuberances 58. A washer or flange 60 is fitted over the tubular rod 26 and is engaged by the protuberances 58 for support thereon. The flange 60 thus defines a support for the hook portions 47 of the connect ing elements 46 and prevents the connecting elements from moving downwardly along the rod 2 6.

It is seen that the unique constructional arrangement of interconnecting the socket members to the vertical rod 26 through connecting elements provides a unique manner of locating the limbs of the doll construction within the openings as provided in the body 12. The head, leg and arm members are held in secure position but are movable in universal relation in the socket portions of the body openings but without unduly creating stresses that in the heretofore known doll constructions caused the interconnecting means for the limbs to break or pull out of the holding means therefor. The rod 2 6 and the interconnecting means associated therewith in the doll of the present invention are easily assembled; and, because of the relatively simple construction, the overall costs of the doll are materially reduced.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underyling inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a doll construction, a hollow body of soft flexible material having a neck socket opening, a pair of arm socket openings, and a pair of leg socket openings, a hollow head member having a reduced neck portion re ceived in said neck socket opening, hollow arm members received in said arm socket openings, and hollow leg members received in said leg socket openings, an elongated rigid rod mounted in said body and extending longitudinally thereof from a point adjacent said neck socket opening to a point between said leg socket openings, and rigid non-extendable means swivelly connected to and extending inwardly from said arm and leg members maintaining said members in their respective socket openings while at the same time permitting universal movement of said members with respect to said socket openings, said rigid means cooperating with said rigid rod to insure and maintain proper positioning of said arm and leg members in their respective socket openings without any biasing of said members inwardly against said socket openings.

2. In the doll construction of claim 1, said arm and leg members and said neck portion each having an enlarged opening at the end adjacent said body, a separate and distinct cup-shaped member slidably captured within said neck portion and said arm and leg members and covering said enlarged openings, a relatively small aperture in each of said cup-shaped members, said rigid means extending freely through said arm and leg apertures and having an enlarged portion at their ends preventnig withdrawal of said rigid means from said cup-shaped membets.

3. In the doll construction of claim 2, said rod extending through the aperture in said neck portion cup-shaped member and having an enlarged portion at its end preventing withdrawal of said rod therefrom.

4. In the doll construction of claim 3, said rod being hollow, the enlarged end of said rod receiving therein a tube that extends to the mouth area of said head member, the opposite end of said hollow rod having free communication with the exterior of said body, whereby liquid introduced to said tube will flow through said rod to provide a wetting action.

5. In the doll construction of claim 1, said rigid means comprising wire elements, the wire elements extending from said leg members being connected directly to said rod.

6. In the doll construction of claim 5, the wire elements extending from said leg members being pivotally connected to said rod, said rod having means for vertically positioning said leg member wire elements with respect thereto.

7. In the doll construction of claim 1, said rigid means comprising wire elements, the wire elements extending from said arm members being connected to each other by link means that surrounnd said rod.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,118,677 5/1938 Lower 46 161 2,598,781 6/1952 Gerbaud 46161 2,807,119 9/1957 Beebe 46--161XR 2,996,837 8/1961 Beebe 416161XR F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner. H. DINITZ, Assistant Examiner. 

